Christopher S. Penn's Awaken Your Superhero - Latest Comments in Die In A Fire

Re: Die In A Fire

Bob — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 00:35:16 -0000

I use it *because* I want to be nasty: I know what happens when one dies in a fire, and I want that to occur to the horrid person. That's what gris-gris is for.

Re: Die In A Fire

Jim Stanza — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 22:08:35 -0000

Whatever - DIAF

Just kidding! It's a terrible expression.

Re: Die In A Fire

Daniele Rossi — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 12:18:23 -0000

Good for you for posting this! There are so many expressions (and jokes) that I always found in poor judgement yet people insist they're only harmless figures of speech and self-censorship if you think otherwise. I like the idea of the Monty Python-esque sayings. It hurts nobody.

Re: Die In A Fire

mikemcallen — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 15:28:30 -0000

Hey Chris-
Before I worked in the corporate production business I was a firefighter for many years fighting wildland fires and structure fires. I knew a few folks who had been burned plus removed a few charred bodies. Its not a way I want to die. (most died of smoke inhalation)I also have been burned several times. It hurts. On one hand we used gallows humor to offset the horror. Joking about the things made us mask our real emotions. Calling a burned person Mr. Chrispy just kept you from really thinking about the situation at hand.

In this case what you are talking about, when I hear this from someone who hasn't been in this situation I immediately think what a douche bag this person is. Thank you for this and all your posts. I enjoy your blog and I don't really give a rats ass about financial aid. :)

Re: Die In A Fire

Christopher S. Penn — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 07:48:25 -0000

Agreed - or come up with some more fun ones, Monty Python style - I wave my private parts in your general direction! Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!

Re: Die In A Fire

Daniel Ho — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 01:39:55 -0000

THANK YOU for saying what I've been thinking. I'm not even sure how it developed, but all of a sudden the expression is everywhere.

I'm definitely not prudish by any means, but DIAF has always seemed like an extremely insensitive and overly nasty thing with which to curse someone. This is especially true if you notice the frivolous context in which it is often used.

Please let this expression run its course. It really isn't cool! What was wrong with the old expletives that this one had to be created? :-)